"When we two parted"—she set her thin lips together as if she was determined to let him off no single word—"you used bitter words. You told me that I was heartless, cold, and bad-tempered. Those were the words you used."
"By Gad, I believe they were!" said Lawrence. "We had a blazing row; and Janet stood by with her calm Scotch face, and, 'Eh, sir! Eh, madam!' I remember."
"I might retaliate on you."
"You did then, Mrs. Cassilis. You let me have it in a very superior style. No need to retaliate any more."
"I might tell you now that you are heartless and cold. I might tell you——"
"It seems that you are telling me all this without any use of the potential mood."
"That if you have any lingering kindness for me, even if you have any resentment for my conduct, you would pity the lonely and companionless life I lead."
"Your son is nearly a year old, I believe?"
"What is a baby?"
Lawrence thought the remark wanting in maternal feeling; but he said nothing.